Tight end, Meridian native, leaves Boise State football team

Boise State tight end Jake Knight (84) leads the Broncos onto the blue turf of Albertsons Stadium for the home opener with Washington State on Sept. 10, 2016 in Boise. Darin Oswalddoswald@idahostatesman.com

Boise State tight end Jake Knight (84) leads the Broncos onto the blue turf of Albertsons Stadium for the home opener with Washington State on Sept. 10, 2016 in Boise. Darin Oswalddoswald@idahostatesman.com

Boise State’s deep tight end group took a bit of a hit Friday night when junior Jake Knight announced he has left the team.

Knight cited a recurring neck injury as the reason for his departure, saying in an Instagram post that it “has caused a lot of physical and mental stress. I feel blessed to have gotten this opportunity, and the chance to build relationships with my teammates and coaches.”

A 2014 Rocky Mountain High graduate, Knight had initially signed with Oregon State to play football, but opted to join Auburn’s track and field team. He participated in the 2014-15 season with the Tigers, taking 13th in the shot put at the SEC championships before transferring to Boise State. He redshirted the 2015 season.

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In his lone year of action, Knight played in all 13 games last season, catching two passes for 56 yards. His 46-yard catch-and-run against BYU helped set up Boise State’s go-ahead score in the 28-27 win. He was placed on scholarship before spring practices.

“Now that I’ve seen the field, I feel fall camp is a lot different because I know what to expect,” Knight said in an Aug. 1 interview. “... That catch was really exciting. Kinda makes you want to go and get more.”

The Broncos still have five scholarship tight ends in seniors Jake Roh and Alec Dhaenens, junior Chase Blakley, sophomore Matt Pistone and redshirt freshman John Bates.